Our practice is committed to training and education. We are a training practice for doctors, and each year a new doctor joins us. This person will be an experienced doctor who is with this practice for one year to gain additional experience in family medicine. We have regular teaching surgeries where two doctors will be consulting, but if you feel you might be embarrassed by the presence of another person during your consultation, a request to consult the doctor alone will be accepted without question. You will be informed when making your appointment if it will be a joint surgery.

Nurses

Practice nurses are qualified and registered nurses. They can help with health issues such as family planning, healthy living advice, blood pressure checks and dressings. The practice nurses run clinics for long-term health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, minor ailment clinics and carry out cervical smears.

Practice Management

Ms Lorraine Thomson

Oversees the day-to-day running of the practice. She is responsible for all personnel, administrative and organisational aspects of the practice and is available to help with any non-medical problems relevant to the practice and to discuss surgery arrangements, suggestions and complaints.

Administration

Mrs Nicola McKeirnan

Practice Administrator at Avon Medical Centre.

Reception

Our receptionists are fully trained and do a very difficult job. They are the first point of contact for most patients and help each patient make the best use of the practice resources. They also answer the telephones, make appointments, update the computer and take requests for home visits, consultations and repeat prescriptions. They are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the doctors and nurses in the practice.

Community Midwives

The midwives, community psychiatric nurse and chiropodistsalso have their offices in the Larkhall Health Institute and are available on the same telephone number.

Community Nurses

The community nurse team attached to the practice are based at the Larkhall Health Institute and can be contacted direct by telephoning 0300 303 0263

Health Visitors

A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of mental, physical and social wellbeing.